Boulder Mail Trail
~2 days · 13.5 mi · moderate · Multi-day trek
Quick facts
What the Boulder Mail Trail is known for
The Boulder Mail Trail follows the historic mail route between Boulder and Escalante across Utah's slickrock country, about 15 miles point-to-point, dropping through Death Hollow — a deep Navajo sandstone canyon and the classic overnight stop. Route-finding on open slickrock is required, and overnight trips need a free Grand Staircase-Escalante permit.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 18,579 ft to 22,293 ft over 13.5 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 5.5 mi · 41%
- Downhill 7.5 mi · 55%
- Flat 0.5 mi · 4%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Boulder Mail Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Boulder Mail Trail scores 16/100, a relative rating across the 1,243 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Boulder Mail Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Boulder Mail Trail in about 2 days (1 nights out) over its 13.5 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Boulder Mail Trail?
The Boulder Mail Trail climbs roughly 2,589 ft total — about 192 ft per mile, topping out near 6,795 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.